Campus Life

Translate Page

You are here

Support for students to succeed & excel

7/22/14

By UW-Richland

“The University of Wisconsin-Richland prides itself on providing personal attention to support students as they succeed, excel and achieve their individual academic goals. We say that and we mean that,” said UW-Richland assistant campus dean for student affairs Annette Hackbarth-Onson. “Knowing students as individuals and being able to respond to their individual needs, that’s what we do.”

Specific ways that UW-Richland students get that support are many and varied. “At some point, every student will need some help. Students who are the first in their family to go to college, for example, may benefit from enhanced academic advising. A returning adult student might need to refresh skills and concepts. It’s likely that no one will get through college without being challenged to master some subject, skill or assignment. We aim to help them,” Hackbarth-Onson said.

Every UW-Richland student has a personal academic advisor, a faculty or staff member they meet with one-to-one to plan their study program. Hackbarth-Onson said that a student’s connection with his or her advisor and with advisors in the student affairs office are important because those are the people who help them--with their study schedule, with decisions and choices of a major, career, and transfer campus, as well as to access other services they might need. “Advisors point students in the right direction,” she said. “They can help with non-academic questions, too—for example services in the community.” UW-Richland faculty and staff are available to meet with students during office hours to answer questions, explain concepts and work one-to-one with students.

Math and English tutoring is available to students at no cost. Students in any course, not just math or English, can get assistance at the Tutoring Center—for example, in developing a budget for an economics assignment or with grammar for a science lab report. In addition, a math instructor staffs “Math Table” during several lunch hours each week in the Roadrunner Café so students can drop by to get help. Student-to-student tutoring is available in an array of subjects. Starting this year UW-Richland is introducing a Writing Center to assist students as they develop academic writing skills. “We are also introducing a course on Study Skills for students who feel that they need some additional practice in this area,” Hackbarth-Onson said. In addition, OWL (for Online Writing Lab) is an online resource, offering tips, documentation guidelines, and grammar/punctuation information, as well as feedback to improve submitted essays. An array of other support is available—library staff to assist with research questions, instructional technology staff to assist students in using computer hardware and software as well as other types of educational technology.

Students with disabilities will find a range of services to assist them. Details and information is available online at uwc.edu/students/disability and on campus Hackbarth-Onson is the contact person. “I’m really impressed with some of the new technology. I think our new audio note-taking program, being implemented this fall, is going to be very helpful to those students who need it,” she said.

Campus clubs and organizations can support success. Some—such as Educators of the Future or Nurses Club—focus on activities to enhance preparation for specific careers. Others, like political clubs, service organizations, and those related to an academic discipline provide opportunities to hone leadership and teamwork skills, as can participation in athletics. The student-to-student social connections formed by club members can be valuable as well, providing study partners, informal learning opportunities, new ideas, and friendships. “Leadership skills are developed through participation in Student Senate and other student organizations such as the International club. Students are actively encouraged to participate in the life of the campus and in so doing learn valuable skills and gain experiences that will assist them as they move through education and into careers,” Hackbarth-Onson said.

At UW-Richland students may find opportunities to advance particular skills by working with their professors to conduct research or independent study projects.

Students who live the Campus View residence halls have the support of professional staff who assist students as they live and learn in a university community--an executive director, a live-in residence hall director, resident advisors who provide student leadership within the building and an office manager. The Campus View Academic Resource Coordinator offers tutoring and organizes study groups.

“Our aim is to provide all students with the support they may need to succeed,” Hackbarth-Onson said. Information is available on the campus website, richland.uwc.edu. Or call the Office of Student Affairs at (608) 647-6186, option 3, for details.